Saturday, August 27, 2011

EBAY - OY VEH!

 Marion Pellicano Ambrose
I recently decided to have a “Roaring 20’s Casino Night”. I’m in the planning stage so I started looking for places to get a roulette wheel, blackjack table, craps table and slot machines. I figured it wouldn’t be too expensive to rent these few things. WRONG!  The lowest quote I got was around $400! OK, time to check out ebay!
I had no real experience bidding for things on ebay.  I’ve purchased things with the “buy now” feature, but never bid. My husband does it all the time for car parts for his ’29 Model A, so I figured I’d give it a try. I looked up “Casino Night” and found really cheap themed paper goods – yay! Then I started looking for slot machines. OMG! There are about a million of them ranging from 4 inches to 4 feet. The ones that looked good to me were around $600-$1000. No way Jose! Finally I found some that were 18 inches and listed for only $6! I bid right away and poof: “YOU HAVE BEEN OUTBID.” No way! My bid hardly hit the waves and I was outbid already?  So I increased my bid and poof: “YOU HAVE BEEN OUTBID.”  Now it’s personal so I up my bid again. Finally, I’m winning! But now my $6 is up to $23. How did that happen?
At the bottom of the screen all sorts of things start coming up and I see an amazing Civil War Era Ball Gown for $22. I’ve been looking at them since my Women’s Club is talking about dressing in Era costume for our next parade. They usually run $200 –over $1000 for a nice gown. This one is beautiful, right out of Gone With The Wind! Again I go through the bidding war with someone named 399*.   (Obviously 399* is the same size as I am and wants this dress just as badly.) Right now I’m up to $90 for the bid and am winning with 11 hours left!  But I’ve learned that some people are sneaky and wait until 30 seconds before the bidding ends and click in a quick bid. I lost a Mickey Mouse Pocket watch that way.
Speaking of pocket watches, in 7 hours I find out if I won a set of 4 Disney Park Pocket watches! Yes, I bid on them too! And a 5 hoop Civil War Era petticoat (in case I win the dress) and a flapper costume (for the Roaring 20’s party) Oh, and I found 2 more slot machines!  Did I mention the Jim Shore Wicked Witch/Evil Queen statue?  (Thank God I was outbid for that one!)
By the time I stopped to look at what I’d done, I’d bid on 16 items ranging from $2 - $120! Here’s the problem – I DON’T HAVE ANY EXTRA MONEY!  My husband is going to kill me if I win all these bids! Of course, family members will get some awesome Christmas Gifts, but we won’t be eating for the next several months!
My point?  Ebay is addictive! I can’t help bidding on some of these amazing items that start out at such ridiculously low prices. If I do get these items, I’ve gotten unbelievable deals and saved hundreds, but of course if I hadn’t bid I wouldn’t be spending anything at all! As I said, “Oy veh!”

SUMMER RE-RUN: HART'S DESIRE ON FIRE - Paradise's Pleasure - Originally Posted May 17, 2011


HART'S DESIRE ON FIRE






Paradise's Pleasure
Can fantasy measure up to reality?
Jillian B. Hart



They had shared so much.  An affair of emotions that dripped in fantasy.  Distance, time and circumstance robbed them of interaction.  Theirs was a virtual world of dreams and indiscretions.  Yet, she often wondered... if ever --- would all they imagined ever measure up?  Could reality move the world off it's axis - like the words and interchanges on a screen - left her breathless and wet with desire?  She closed her lash rimmed eyes and shook off the thoughts - refocusing on their last interaction as she lay in her bed.  A long sexy breath escapes her as she closes her eyes to lose herself in the memory...

His eyes locked on her, as she bathed in a waterfall in the tropical paradise.  The cool waterarousing her senses and causing her chest to swell and nipples be erect.  The sensory simulation enticing, as her head tilted back to rinse her hair.  So lost in the simple pleasure that she hadn't noticed his arrival. Hadn't noticed him gazing at her every move. If she had, she may have become overcome with vexation rather then lost in the self indulgence of her nakedness.  The rushing sound of the waterfall made it easy for him to slide into the lagoon and approach her undetected.  Longing to surprise her, he swam up behind her - only to have the wonderment be on him - when she turned in the water and launched herself at him.  Both of them falling into the shallow caress of the waters.  

Laughing. Splashing.  Groping. Fondling. In ways that rivaled any teenage fantasy or love-fest.  Entangled theyworked their way to shore.  The mist of the falling waters in the breeze still spraying their skin as the sun warmed them and they fell into the soft fine sand.   Massaging her bronzed flesh with pressure and untamed passion.  The touch of his hands, pure rapture to her.

Without a word, there was complete direction.  He read every cue that her body sensuously displayed.  And, when body language lacked enough intensity she'd guide his hands.  The sun adding heat to a moment sparked enough to combust fire.  Hands lost on each other - exciting every fiber of their beings. Awakening every nerve to send shivers racing the length of her spine. Unyielding palms and fingers worked the sun drenched bodies that glowed with a hint of inviting erotic sweat.  Shoulders. Neck. Down the small of her back.  Each movement pulsing with strength and pressure that told of the sensual acts to come.  As he nibbled on the bare flesh of her neck she felt fire in her core, yet shivered with anticipation.  His arms wrapped her from behind and his hands slid smoothly over her hips and caressed the soft skin just above her pelvis. Rubbing back and forth and climbing higher and higher.  She leaned back.  Melting into him.  Losing herself in every lascivious movement gliding over fleshy mounds that swelled with tension and want.  She turned her head over her shoulder to kiss him.  Lips fell open as impassioned tongues danced together.  Kissing him deeper, taking him in, sliding back and forth over his mouth and tongue, insinuating the motions of the salacious sex she desired...  

SUMMER RE-RUN

SWEET SIXTEEN... (ORIGINALLY RUN MARCH 2011)

Dawn Boyle

Time is flying too fast for me. Seems like yesterday we brought Sarah home, she will be 10 in July. My baby Gracie turns 7 next week. I feel like screaming at the top of my lungs STOP!


Saturday night we celebrated a cousin's Sweet 16. It was a formal party held at the Westbury Manor (Long Island, NY). In the mix of trying to get everyone ready I didn't even notice that Sarah had decided to put leggings under the dress she had on. She may have even asked if it was alright... I have no idea or recollection. There were issues, Gracie's straps were too long, the shoes that she wore for Christmas suddenly were too big, you know the regular trying to get everyone in the house ready to be somewhere and you are stuck putting on the mascara in the car mirror kind of event. It was the leggings that got me so annoyed that actually opened my eyes to the much bigger picture.
After a cocktail hour we were ushered into the main room. The DJ asked us all to stand up for the entrance of the guest of honor. Paulina walked in and looked like a living doll. She was gorgeous. They announced her father, he took his daughters hand and danced to Butterfly Kisses. We all stood and watched, there was not a dry eye in the room. It seems like yesterday Paulina was dressed in the white dress with the white shoes and veil for her communion. And that is when it hit me. I looked over at my daughters standing with their Dad. Why did Sarah have on Leggings? This was a formal affair. Just as that raced through my head, Sarah grabbed her fathers hand. I looked back at Paulina and her father and realized that soon enough it will be Sarah's Sweet 16. These years you never get back. They go too fast. I want to slam on the brakes and sit back and tell her stop growing up, but I can't. It's out of my control. There is no rewind button or pause. Life is truly flying by.  Leggings don't really matter. What matters is my children and family being together celebrating what a great kid Paulina is and the amazing young lady that she is becoming. That somehow these milestone moments are just as important for everyone not only the birthday girl. These milestones make us take a breath and appreciate where we are right now and how in the blink of an eye - we will be right there.


My girls woke up yesterday morning and instantly started fighting. The yelling and screaming had new meaning for me. It didn't get me as angry or upset. I even smiled at Greg and said one day we are going to miss hearing this...


Big hugs to my girls...& Happy Sweet 16 Paulina!

STICKY SWEET

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Patty B



"There are four basic food groups:  milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and chocolate truffles."  

"Seize the moment.  Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart."  ~Erma Bombeck

"In heaven, chocolate has no calories and is served as the main course."

"The best things in life are chocolate."


Friday, August 26, 2011

IRENE AND THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS

Marion Pellicano Ambrose 

What are the words to that song? “I want to wake up in the city that never sleeps.” Well, Old Blue Eyes would be singing a different tune if he saw the forecast for New York this weekend!  Hurricane Irene is going to bring NYC to a standstill: mandatory evacuations of low lying and coastal areas, including part of the financial district in Manhattan. This zone has been ordered to be evacuated by 5 pm Saturday. I heard from an old friend that my hometown of Sheepshead Bay is also being evacuated. First time ever!
In addition, the entire NYC Transportation System will be shut down from Saturday afternoon until Monday. The last time this happened was on September 11, 2001. New York mayor Michael Bloomberg cautioned residents not to be fooled because the sun is shining. He warned that Irene is a dangerous storm and “it’s heading directly for us”.
Irene is expected to blast its way into North Carolina Saturday afternoon and then move up the coast bringing winds of up to 115 mph, heavy rains and surges.
New Jersey Mayor Chris Christie is taking the threat seriously as well. All gaming in Atlantic City will be suspended starting Saturday at noon. Coastal and low lying areas are being evacuated in stages. President Obama has urged everyone to obey evacuation order.
“I cannot stress this highly enough, if you are in the projected path of this hurricane you have to take precautions now. Don’t wait, don’t delay. All indications point to this being a historic hurricane.” Obama said

We at DRL South are praying for our Northern counterparts and all of those in the path of this historic storm. We hope it will fizzle out or move way to the east before it can cause any destruction or loss of life, though it certainly doesn't appear to be the projection. PLEASE be as prepared as possible and know that we’re rooting for you!

http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/downloads/pdf/hurricane_map_english.pdf (NYC evacuation zone map)


NO PAIN NO GAIN

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY
Patty B

Catholic calistenics: sit, kneel, stand, sit kneel ,stand.

The Thrift Store Diet: Shop at the day-old bakery.

The  New Age Diet: Eat carrot sticks. Visualize pizza.

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD HAVE A GUN AND KNOW HOW TO USE IT!

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

I was always very against having guns in the house.  My father kept a baseball bat next to his bed for as long as I could remember. He planned to use it to protect his family if the situation ever warranted it. I thought my dad was right and that having a gun in the house was asking for trouble. I’ve  since changed my mind.
I’m all grown up now and have a daughter and son of my own. When they were born, I thought about what I would do if anyone ever tried to hurt or kidnap either of them.  That’s when I realized that a baseball bat just wasn’t going to cut it! I want to be able to stop anyone dead in their tracks that might be a threat to my children. Because of this, I went with my husband to the range and learned how to fire a gun. I found out that I’m actually quite good at it! According to my targets, I definitely stopped the intruder! However, the thought of shooting a real person still bothered me greatly. I wasn’t sure if I could actually pull the trigger. My husband also trained my daughter and wanted to get her a gun. I was totally against it.
Yesterday I got a phone call from my daughter. She’s away at college and was walking to her car after visiting friends. Her boyfriend had met her there so he had his own car. Like the good man he is, he was seeing her safely to her car when he dropped something. He got down to look for it and for a moment wasn’t visible. During that moment, a strange man approached my daughter making lewd suggestions and moving closer. Just then, her boyfriend (a tall, built, protective young man) stood up and got right in this man’s face. Fortunately, he backed off, but still made some disgusting comments to her boyfriend about her. She was relieved and grateful to her boyfriend, as I and her father are, but all I could think about is “What if he hadn’t been there?”  What would my daughter have done to protect herself?
Again, I’ve changed my mind. I believe my daughter should have a gun and know how to use it.
I did some research and found that more and more women are learning to shoot a gun and keeping one with them. Too many crimes against women occur and women must take steps to protect themselves and those they love. I know this is controversial, but I now believe that American Women must become more prepared, more educated and more aggressive in how they keep themselves out of harms way.
An article printed in 2010 talked about self-defense expert Paxton Quigley. If she had her way, every woman would be toting a gun around like the latest iphone. Why? “ Handguns are the best way for women to protect themselves from violence and rape, says Quigley, who has taught more than 7,000 women how to pull the trigger. For her new book, Armed & Female: Taking Control, she talked to dozens of female victims of violent crime, many of whom said a gun could have prevented the attack.  Out of an estimated 200 million guns in the U.S., about 17 million belong to women. Many women live alone; they need protection. There was a jump in gun-buying when President Obama was elected — the so-called Obama bump. Pro-gun folks were scaring a lot of people, claiming Obama would ban guns. People tried to make it political. You can see what both sides try to do. I just think guns can prevent rape — and a lot of women do not ever get over rape.
According to M.D. Creekmore, of The Survivalist Blog, “Just because you are a woman doesn’t mean you need a man for protection, with training and the proper tools you can defend yourself. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”

Thursday, August 25, 2011

WANNA LAUGH?!?!?! - HURRICANE HUMOR... Sometimes you gotta laugh, or you'll cry.....

Top Ten Reasons Hurricane Season is Like Christmas 
10. Decorating the house (boarding up windows) 
9. Dragging out boxes that haven't been used since last season (campinggear, flashlights) 
8. Last minute shopping in crowded stores 
7. Regular TV shows pre-empted for "specials" 
6. Family coming to stay with you 
5. Family and friends from out-of-state calling 
4. Buying food you don't normally buy ... and in large quantities 
3. Days off from work 
2. Candles 
And the number one reason Hurricane Season is like Christmas ... 
1. At some point you know you're going to have a tree in your house!

PARANORMAL PUB:THE WOMAN ON THE PORCH

My friend Cheryl was visiting a friend who owned an inn located in North Carolina. When she drove up she saw a woman sitting on the porch in an old fashioned rocking chair staring blankly into space and rocking constantly. Cheryl smiled and nodded at the lady, but there was no response.
The next day, Cheryl was returning from the Farmer’s Market when her friend called for her to come sit on the porch and have some lemonade with her. On the far side the same woman she had seen on her first day still sat rocking and staring at nothing.
“What’s wrong with that poor soul?” Cheryl asked her friend. “Well,” her friend replied, “It’s a long story. The woman’s name is Mema. When she was a young girl of 14 she was left alone each night as her parents worked late. Her parents bought her a dog to keep her company. One night Mema was awoken by a constant dripping sound. She got up and went to the kitchen to turn off the tap properly. As she was getting back into the bed she stuck her hand under the bed and the dog licked it. The dripping sound continued, so she went to the bathroom and turned off the tap properly in there, too. She went back to her bedroom and stuck her hand under the bed, and the dog licked it again. But the dripping continued, so she went outside and turned off the taps out there. She came back to bed, stuck her hand under it, and the dog licked it again. The dripping continued, drip, drip, drip. This time she listened and located the source of the dripping — it was coming from her cupboard. She opened the cupboard door, and there was her dog hanging upside down with its neck cut, and written on the window on the inside of the cupboard was, "HUMANS CAN LICK TOO!!!!"                                                  
        And she’s been like this ever since that fateful night."

STICKY SWEET

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Patty B



How many calories are there in a piece of chocolate?
Who cares?

After eating chocolate you feel godlike, as though you can conquer enemies, lead armies, entice lovers.  
~Emily Luchetti

If I ever need religion, I’ll worship chocolate cake.

COME ON IRENE....IS SHE COMING TO LONG ISLAND??

Dawn Boyle
What is going on? We have an earthquake on Tuesday and now we are told to gear up for getting hit by Hurricane Irene here in New York. I have to tell ya, I kind of feel like the news and media are the "Boy who called wolf".

Haven't we heard this all before? Reminds me of this time last summer, only her name was Danielle. The Weather Channel is the most popular website, channel and app. We wait for updates. We hear words like wind sheer, water surge, extreme threat and extensive damage...my new favorite is storm like we have never seen in our life-time - SERIOUSLY???
hurricane irene Northeast Threat


I hope they are wrong, and with a few days out who knows what can happen. I guess the best idea is to be prepared and everyone is running around doing just that. In case you don't have the Emergency List, I have it down below so you can run out to Target and the food store. Come to think of it, this storm just might stimulate the economy, you should have seen the line at the food store!

Living in a waterfront community, a handful of houses away from the Great South Bay I am hoping that they are completely wrong. From what I hear the last time our neighborhood was affected, which was Hurricane Gloria in the 80's it was a complete war zone down here. If that happens, look for

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

WANNA LAUGH?!?!?!

I haven't spoken to my wife in 18 months - I don't like to interrupt her.

I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.


Home is where you can say anything you like, 'cause nobody listens to you anyway.
Artificial Intelligence usually beats real stupidity.
Genius does what it must, talent does what it can, and you had best do what you're told.
I need someone really bad. Are you really ?
If ignorance is bliss, you must be orgasmic.
I used to have a handle on life, and then it broke.

I just got lost in thought. It was unfamiliar territory.
I get enough exercise just pushing my luck.
Success is a relative term. It brings so many relatives.

STICKY SWEET

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Patty B




Chocolate is the Answer, Who cares what the Question is?"

When life gives you lemons, throw them back and demand chocolate.

You are never alone with a bar of CHOCOLATE.

Chocolate flows in deep dark, sweet waves, a river to ignite my mind and alert my senses.